This is all about the organization that aims to transform the Illinois Democratic Party from within. PDI also exists to act as a bridging organization between Progressive groups throughout Illinois. It's time for a cohesive Progressive movement, and we intend to facilitate exactly that.

President Obama has signed an agreement with President Karzai to keep a
major U.S. military presence in Afghanistan (currently about three times
the size Obama began with) through the end of 2014, and to allow a
significant unspecified military presence beyond that date, with no end
date stipulated.

But Obama forgot to provide any reason not to withdraw from Afghanistan
now. *Rep. Barbara Lee has a bill for withdrawal now*.

Obama spoke of a transition to Afghan control, but we've heard that talk
for a decade. He talked of fighting al Qaeda, but the U.S. has not been
fighting al Qaeda in Afghanistan, and has admitted for years that there is
virtually no al Qaeda presence there.

The agreement requires that all "entities" involved in a peace process
renounce violence, but the Taliban will no more do that while under foreign
occupation than the United States will do so while occupying. This is not a
serious plan to leave. Nor is it a plan based on Afghan sovereignty.

The agreement says it becomes effective when "the Parties notify one
another, through diplomatic channels, of the completion of their respective
internal legal requirements." *The U.S. Constitution requires ratification
by the Senate of all treaties*.